When looking at the sky, each of us is apt to make patterns from the s

Question

When looking at the sky, each of us is apt to make patterns from the stars which appear to us to form shapes. Once we are familiar with the constellations as named, we tend to see those shapes more clearly. Modern astronomy recognizes 88 constellations, which are technically not patterns of the stars, but areas of the sky. The 88 constellations depict 42 animals, 29 inanimate objects, and 17 human or mythical characters.

Most of the constellations we recognize today were first plotted and named by the Sumerians, and then by the Greeks. These are principally found in the northern sky. Constellations in the southern sky were first mapped out by explorers and voyagers who journeyed through the oceans of the southern hemisphere.

Many people would be quick to name the Big Dipper or Orion’s Belt as the most famous constellation. In fact, they aren’t constellations at all, but asterisms, patterns of stars recognized in the night sky. Some asterisms, such as Orion’s Belt, are smaller parts of larger patterns recognized as constellations. While this may seem like a small concern, a carelessness about understanding the night sky and its denizens is an unfortunate trend in our 21st century world. The 88 constellations are but a small portion of the wonders in the night sky that can be explored.    1 
 1. The main purpose of this passage is to

A. trace the historical and cultural changes that have lead the myriad of constellations as accepted by different cultures
B. explain what the 88 different constellations represent
C. provide details as to why some popular patterns in the night sky are not constellations
D. argue against astronomical illiteracy by using the constellations as examples of the wonders of the night sky
E. press readers into political action to protect the night sky

2 
 2. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the third paragraph?

A. Asterisms may be better known than constellations.
B. All constellations contain asterisms.
C. All asterisms appear in one of the 88 constellations.
D. Someday, asterisms will become constellations.
E. Asterisms are not called constellations, because they do not have the level of permanency expected in a constellation.

3 
 3. The author’s attitude toward the study of astronomy can best be described as which of the following?

A. Apathetic objectivity
B. Passionate engagement
C. Overzealous subjectivity
D. Curious optimism
E. Hostile defensiveness

4 
 4. All of the following are true, according to the passage, EXCEPT:

A. Sumerians named many of the existent constellations.
B. There are 17 constellations named after human or mythical characters.
C. The southern sky constellations are more complex than those in the northern sky.
D. Orion’s Belt is not a constellation.
E. An asterism may be part of a constellation.

RC Butler 2023  -  Practice Two RC Passages Everyday.   
Passage # 111 Date: 19-Apr-2023
 This question is a part of RC Butler 2023 .  Click here for Details

Its_me_aka_ak · Answer

why is B QA of Q3?
to me it seems like author isn't merely engaging but is rather defensive as seems in the last paragraph where he refers the 'carelessness' part. where did i go wrong plz assist.
thanks in advance

Sajjad1994 · Answer

The author's tone:  Throughout the passage, the author demonstrates a positive and enthusiastic tone when discussing astronomy. They express a fascination with the night sky and its constellations, as well as a desire for people to better understand and appreciate them. This enthusiasm is a key indicator of passionate engagement.

Use of descriptive language:  The author uses descriptive language to evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity about the night sky. They talk about the wonders in the night sky that can be explored, indicating an eagerness to delve into the subject matter.

Encouragement for understanding:  The author expresses concern about the  "unfortunate trend"  of carelessness regarding the night sky, suggesting a desire for people to pay more attention to and appreciate the celestial wonders. This implies a passionate engagement with the subject.

Hence (B)

AKukreja · Answer

sajjad  Hey Sajjad! Why isn't (c) the answer of Question 1?

muskan_jn23 · Answer

will you please explain q1 and q2

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Option C is partially correct. Although author explains that some popular patterns like the Big Dipper and Orion's Belt are not technically constellations but asterisms. However, this is only a part of the passage's broader discussion about the nature of constellations and their historical and cultural significance.

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

1. The main purpose of this passage is to

Explanation

A.  While the passage does touch upon the historical origins of constellations, it doesn't extensively delve into the changes over time or the specific cultural influences that shaped them. It provides brief mentions of the Sumerians, Greeks, and explorers, but these are not the central focus. The primary emphasis is not on tracing the historical and cultural changes themselves but rather on the broader implications of understanding and appreciating constellations in the present day.

B.  Although the passage mentions the breakdown of types of objects represented by the 88 constellations, it doesn't go into detail about what each individual constellation represents. The focus is more on their nature as areas of the sky and their historical-cultural significance rather than their specific symbolic meanings.

C.  While the passage does explain that popular patterns like the Big Dipper and Orion's Belt are not technically constellations but asterisms, this explanation is only a small part of the overall discussion. It's not the central purpose of the passage, which is to emphasize the importance of understanding and appreciating the night sky.

E.  There's no explicit call for political action in the passage. While it highlights the wonders of the night sky, it does so more from a standpoint of cultural and scientific appreciation rather than advocacy for political involvement or action.

Answer: D

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Explanation

2. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the third paragraph?

Explanation

The  third paragraph  discusses the distinction between constellations and asterisms, highlighting that while many people might identify asterisms like the Big Dipper or Orion’s Belt as constellations, they are actually separate phenomena.

A.   This inference can be drawn from the paragraph as it suggests that some asterisms, like the Big Dipper or Orion's Belt, are often mistakenly considered constellations. This implies that these asterisms might be more recognizable or famous than some actual constellations.

B.  cannot be drawn from the paragraph. The passage does not mention that all constellations contain asterisms. It only discusses that some asterisms, like Orion’s Belt, are smaller parts of larger patterns recognized as constellations.

C.  cannot be drawn from the paragraph. While the passage mentions that some asterisms are smaller parts of larger patterns recognized as constellations, it does not imply that all asterisms are part of the 88 recognized constellations.

D.  cannot be drawn from the paragraph. There is no indication in the passage that asterisms will eventually become constellations. The distinction between constellations and asterisms seems to be maintained throughout the passage.

E.  Cannot be inferred.

Answer: A

When looking at the sky, each of us is apt to make patterns from the s

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

When looking at the sky, each of us is apt to make patterns from the s

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards